St. Petersburg Mayor Rick Kriseman is getting ready to write his first city budget since being sworn in this year.

More than 50 residents flooded the Walter Fuller Community Center Wednesday night for the first in a series of budget review meetings where city officials will hear what taxpayers want their money spent on.

Kriseman said the budget will be a reflection of the city's priorities.

“St. Petersburg will be a city of opportunity where the sun shines on all who come to live,...

St. Pete officials are taking input from residents on how to manage the cityâs money. During the first of three budget summits last night in Northeast St. Pete, residents weighed in on what services and projects they think officials should prioritize. Lou Brown III has worked on a project called the peopleâs budget review that surveyed more than 500 residents.

St. Petersburg City Council has approved a budget that doesnât include the controversial Fire Readiness Fee. After hearing from impassioned public comment, council members increased the cityâs millage rate in a final vote Thursday night.

Winding up the 2012 fiscal year, St. Pete officials found themselves having to dig into reserves to cover a more than $5 million shortfall. To cover that, city officials proposed a flat tax on all properties regardless of their value. The [Fire Read...